Sketch of Bristol. 21 



ing of the banks, and the overflowing of the meadows. 

 Every species of filth was, it is likely, carried off by 

 the ebb-tide, which before was constantly acted upon 

 by the sun, from its confined situation. 



Our epidemics are seldom rife before the middle 

 of July, or the'beginning of August. They are dy- 

 sentery, intermitting and remitting bilious fevers. 

 Several cases of the latter have terminated in death, 

 attended with black vomiting and a yellow skin ; and 

 where there was no possibility of its being taken by 

 contagion. In 1799 and 1800, the dysentery raged, 

 with much violence. Only a few cases, however, 

 ended fatally. It yielded, with much certainty, to 

 evacuations on the first days, chiefly by the bowels ; 

 and afterwards to the use of bark and opium. In the 

 seasons just mentioned, it was general throughout the 

 country. Blood-letting was sometimes necessary. 

 My friend Dr. Mahlon Gregg, of Attleborough, used 

 the sulphat of soda as an evacuant, combined with 

 carbonate of lime, gum-arabic, and opium, with much 

 success. I used it myself, in preference to every 

 cathartic, not excepting the oleum ricini. 



The scarlatina anginosa was epidemic in the spring 

 of 1802. It began in April, and terminated in May. 

 Blood-letting was of disadvantage in this disease. 

 To my knowledge, none who were not bled, died. 

 This was not the case when the contrary treatment 

 was pursued. Debility seemed the predominat- 

 ing symptom from the first attack. Gentle purges 

 were used with advantage. In every ease that came 



